Things for African Americans to do in Cincinnati in 2021 and 2022

What’s happening in Black Cincinnati in 2021 and 2022

 

Cincinnati African American Events this year.  

Hip-hop, R&B, soul, jazz, reggae, gospel, old school and symphony live-music concerts happening in Cincinnati in 2021 and 2022.

Black composers, plays, museum exhibits, comedy shows, concert series, operas, dance recitals, local music, and festivals to see in Cincinnati.  

Black Cincinnatians can routinely and affordably enjoy the performing arts, fine arts, entertainers, comedians, religious services, professional development training and program initiatives that help us improve our physical and mental health. We are also extremely fortunate that nationally known touring African American artists, singers, and performers routinely display their talents right here in the Queen City music scene.

When purchasing your tickets, be sure to ask about exclusive deals, discount options, community performances or same-day options.

The Black event lineup listed was submitted to our free, user-generated community calendar. Feel free to submit an event to be considered in this article. All Black events listed are as current as the publication date. Readers are encouraged to confirm the information prior to acting.

 

2021 Cincinnati African American Events:

 

 

Need Your Love –Play
Now – December 12th
Playhouse in the Park
From the creator of Cincinnati King comes the life and times of King Records star Little Willie John. You love the music, now hear his personal story.

 

Kara Walker: Cut to the Quick– Art Exhibit
Now – January 16^th
Tuesdays through Sundays
$0 – $12
Cincinnati Art Museum
Incorporating stereotypes to examine the narratives that feed into racism, sexism, sexuality and identity.

 

Hot Chocolate – Dance Performance
December 10th – 11th
The Aronoff Center for the Arts
A brand-new story and eclectic choreography set to the more soulful sounds of Christmas.

 

 

Related to Cincinnati African American Events: What to do in Cincinnati this week

2022 Cincinnati African American Events:

 

Hairspray – Broadway Play
January 4th – 9th
The Aronoff Center for the Arts
You Can’t Stop the Beat! See HAIRSPRAY, Broadway’s Tony Award-winning musical comedy phenomenon.

 

Najee – Jazz Concert
January 15th, 8:30 p.m.
The Ludlow Garage
With two platinum and four gold albums, Najee is one of the pioneers of what is commonly known as Contemporary Jazz.

 

Big Mountain with Mighty Mystic – Reggae Concert
January 29th, 8:30 p.m.
The Ludlow Garage
Flavored with roots reggae, dancehall, reggaeton, R&B, Afro-pop and Latin rhythms.

 

Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom – Play
January 21st – February 12th
Cincinnati Shakespeare Company
Tensions and temperatures rise at a Chicago music studio in 1927 when fiery, fearless blues singer joins her band for a fraught recording session.

 

Curves, Curls, and Choreography – Dance Performance
February 4th -5th
The Aronoff Center for the Arts
Celebrate a new era in ballet in this fun, challenging and of-course entertaining concert dance experience.

 

My Fair Lady – Broadway Play
February 8th – 20th
The Aronoff Center for the Arts
MY FAIR LADY tells the story of a flower seller, and a professor who is determined to transform her into his idea of a “proper lady.”

 

Alex Bugnon – Jazz Concert
February 12th, 8:30 p.m.
The Ludlow Garage
This jazz pianist has been a prolific, energetic force on the contemporary music scene for more than two decades.

 

Katt Williams – Comedy Show
March 4th, 8 p.m.
Heritage Bank Center
Comedy titan and Emmy® Award-winning actor, Katt Williams, announces his World War III Tour

 

Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations – Broadway Play
March 15th – March 27th
The Aronoff Center for the Arts
The electrifying, new smash-hit Broadway musical that follows The Temptations’ extraordinary journey from the streets of Detroit to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

 

David Sanborn – Jazz Concert
March 19th, 8:30 p.m.
The Ludlow Garage
Although a jazz musician at heart, Sanborn has transcended genres and musical  boundaries throughout his entire career.

 

Jazmine Sullivan – R&B Concert
March 22nd, 7 p.m.
Bogart’s
Jazmine Marie Sullivan is an American Hip-Hop/R&B singer-songwriter born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

 

Cynthia Erivo – Symphony Concert
March 29th, 7:30 p.m.
Music Hall
Experience the extraordinary talent of Grammy® Emmy® and Tony® Award-winning actress and singer Cynthia Erivo.

 

Yasmin Williams – Soul Concert
March 30th, 8:30 p.m.
The Ludlow Garage
An acoustic fingerstyle guitarist with an unorthodox, modern style of playing. Her music has been commonly described as refreshing, relaxing, and unique.

 

I Shall Not Be Moved and Your Negro Tour Guide– Play
March 19th -April 23rd
Memorial Hall
See the world premiere of I Shall Not Be Moved followed by the return of Your Negro Tour Guide, playing back-to-back.

 

Jazzmeia Horn – Jazz Concert
April 1st – 2nd
The Aronoff Center for the Arts
Grammy-nominated vocalist Jazzmeia Horn has emerged as one of the brightest stars on the rise in the jazz scene. 

 

The Wiz JR. – Play
April 2nd – April 11th
Taft Theatre
A vibrant take on Dorothy’s adventures through the Land of Oz and a fun, family-friendly musical that is considered one of the most popular and creative theatrical adaptations of all time.

 

 

Related to Cincinnati African American Events: Before the event, check out these Black-owned restaurants, food trucks, and sweet shops!

 

 

The Twunny Fo’ – Play
April 15th – May 8th
Know Theatre
As rents go up and people move away, Tyra is trying to finish her MBA so she can leave the neighborhood once and for all.

 

Disney’s Frozen– Broadway Play
April 20th – May 1st
The Aronoff Center for the Arts
FROZEN is an unforgettable, magical adventure with amazing special effects, eye-popping costumes, and incredible performances.

 

School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play – Play
April 30th – May 22nd
Playhouse in the Park
Beauty, ambition and biting comedy combine in this off-Broadway hit!

 

Leon Bridges– R&B Concert
May 6th, 7:30 p.m.
The Andrew J Brady ICON Music Center
The Gold-Diggers Sound Tour with special guest Chiiild.

 

To Kill a Mockingbird – Broadway Play
May 31st – June 12th
The Aronoff Center for the Arts
When Tom Robinson, one of the town’s Black residents, is falsely accused of raping Mayella Ewell, a white woman, Atticus agrees to defend him despite threats from the community.

 

Soul: Shaken and Stirred – Dance Performance
June 3rd – 4th
The Aronoff Center for the Arts
From Gospel to hip hop, R&B to jazz – this concert honors the extraordinary soundtrack black music has been throughout our lives.

 

Carlos Santana & Earth, Wind & Fire – R&B Concert
July 9th, 7 p.m.
Riverbend Music Center
Grammy Award-winning, legendary artists.

 

The Band’s Visit– Broadway Play
July 19th – 24th
The Aronoff Center for the Arts
THE BAND’S VISIT rejoices in the way music makes us laugh, makes us cry, and ultimately, brings us together.

 

Cincinnati Music Festival – Music Festival
July 21st – July 23rd
Paul Brown Stadium
Main stage headliners include Charlie Wilson, Snoop Dogg, Janet Jackson and The O’Jays. Special guest performances by Fantasia, Tony Toni Tone, Jonathan Butler and Tank.

 

Tower of Power with Lettuce – Funk Concert
August 11th and 12th, 2022, 7 p.m.
Taft Theatre and Rose Music Center at the Heights
Legendary Soul-Funk-R&B group Tower of Power and genre-busting six-member Funk band Lettuce will take the stage together in Cincinnati one night and Dayton the next.

 

Alicia Keys – R&B Concert
August 18th, 8:00 p.m.
Riverbend Music Center
Global music icon, songwriting pianist, Billboard Music Awards winner and 15-time GRAMMY Award winner

 

Hamilton – Broadway Play
September 6th – October 2nd
The Aronoff Center for the Arts
HAMILTON has taken the story of American founding father Alexander Hamilton and created a revolutionary moment in theatre.

 

Related to Cincinnati African American Events: African American Midwest festivals and concerts to keep you on the move.

 

CDC Gathering Guidelines:

Large gatherings bring together many people from multiple households in private or public space venues and are often planned events with many guests and invitations. Fully vaccinated people can resume activities without wearing a mask or physically distancing.

 

Cincinnati African American Events photo provided by © [Olesia Bilkei] /Adobe Stock

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